Blackhawks’ Kane off to Switzerland

The Blackhawks’ forward will play for the Swiss National League A team EHC Biel during the NHL lockout.

“Excited and thankful to join EHC Biel in the Swiss League,” Kane wrote Tuesday on his Twitter account @88PKane. “Looking forward to the experience.”

Kane’s agent, Pat Brisson, confirmed the 23-year-old will play in Europe as negotiations between the NHL and its players’ union have stalled.

Kane remains scheduled to play in Friday night’s “Champs for Charity” exhibition with other members of the 2010 Stanley Cup team at Allstate Arena to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

“They wanted him (in Switzerland) ASAP but he said he couldn’t leave until Sunday because he made a commitment to support a charity,” former teammate and organizer Adam Burish said. “It’s a class-act move.”

Kane will join Viktor Stalberg, Bryan Bickell, Michal Rozsival and Michael Frolik as Hawks playing in Europe during the lockout.